22 Facts About Mike Matusow

Michael Matusow was born on April 30,1968 and is an American professional poker player residing in Henderson, Nevada.

Mike Matusow began playing poker seriously in the early 1990s, first while working as a poker dealer, then as a professional player.

Mike Matusow's successes include being a four-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner and the winner of the 2005 World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions.

Mike Matusow was first introduced to poker when he played video poker at the Maxim Casino at the age of 18.

Mike Matusow occasionally stole money from his mother's purse and at one point attended Gamblers Anonymous meetings.

Mike Matusow was taught Texas hold 'em in 1989 by a rounder named Steve Samaroff.

At the 1998 World Series of Poker, Mike Matusow paid part of Scotty Nguyen's entrance fee into a satellite event for the $10,000 no limit Texas hold 'em Main Event.

In 1999, Mike Matusow won his first WSOP bracelet, winning the $3,500 No Limit Hold'em event defeating Alex Brenes heads-up to win the title.

Mike Matusow says that the decisive hand was when he was bluffed by eventual champion Juan Carlos Mortensen, but did not trust his instincts to call.

At the 2002 WSOP, Mike Matusow won his second bracelet by winning the $5,000 Omaha Hi-Low Split 8 or Better event.

Mike Matusow defeated fellow professional poker player Daniel Negreanu to win the tournament.

Mike Matusow placed third in the Tournament of Champions the following year, winning $250,000.

Mike Matusow won his fourth bracelet in 2013 in the $5,000 Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo Split 8 or Better tournament, defeating Matthew Ashton heads-up and earning $266,503.

In October 2004, Mike Matusow made his first World Poker Tour final table at the UltimateBet Aruba Classic, earning $250,000 for 3rd place.

Mike Matusow appeared in Poker Superstars III, where he made it to the Elite Eight.

Mike Matusow appeared in the second, third, fourth, and sixth season of High Stakes Poker.

In September 2006, Mike Matusow made his debut on the European Poker Tour in Barcelona; however, he was eliminated on the first day.

In early 2007, Mike Matusow appeared on two episodes of Poker After Dark where he finished 3rd and 2nd respectively.

In July 2007, Mike Matusow won $671,320 after coming in second place at the World Poker Tour Bellagio Cup III Championship after online pro Kevin Saul defeated him during heads-up play.

Mike Matusow often wears a gold chain with the Hebrew symbol 'chai' around his neck.

Mike Matusow has battled drug issues, including a six-month stint in jail in 2004 and 2005 after being caught providing ecstasy and prescription painkillers to an undercover police officer who pretended to befriend Matusow and gained his trust.

Mike Matusow wrote an autobiography titled Check Raising the Devil that was released May 12,2009.